Resources and Articles

The organizations and programs listed below provide additional information and resources for teachers using pets in their classrooms:

Pets in the Classroom Promotional Material

For a full color poster that may be customized with your store logo and used in your store to promote our program, please send a request to info@petsintheclassroom.org.

Teachers Turn to Classroom Pets to Teach Social and Emotional Skills

An article published by EdSource Magazine discusses how classroom pets impact students by teaching social and emotional skills, such as self-awareness, self-management, responsibility and relationship building. The article, “With increased focus on students’ social and emotional skills, teachers turn to class pets to help lead the way,” showcases classroom activities around classroom pets and the impact they have on the students.

Source: https://edsource.org/2018/with-increased-focus-on-students-social-and-emotional-skills-teachers-turn-to-class-pets-to-help-lead-the-way/594912

Science Says Your Pet Is Good for Your Mental Health

An article published by TIME Magazine discusses how scientific studies are showing the value of animals for improving health and well-being. The article, “Science Says Your Pet Is Good for Your Mental Health,” reviews some of the studies and the various effects different animals had on people. From rabbits helping reduce anxiety, to fish helping with focus, to guinea pigs helping with socializing, the article provides great insight into the impact animals can have in the classroom.

Source: www.time.com/science-says-pet-good-for-mental-health

The Benefits of Pets in the Classroom: 4 Ways Pets Are Transforming and Helping Kids at School

An article by Steven Feldman, President of HABRI, published on PetMD.com, highlights the benefits of classroom pets, showing how animals like therapy dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs reduce anxiety, improve social skills, and enhance learning. It explores how hands-on experiences, from reading programs to science activities, make education more engaging while fostering responsibility and confidence in students.

Source: www.petmd.com/general-health/benefits-of-pets-in-classroom

Crayola Learning Activity

Pets in the Classroom had the privilege of collaborating with Crayola and Petco for Crayola’s The Art of Learning series! This educational video delves into the world of caring for and choosing classroom pets, and is packed with animal facts and tips on how to care for pets like guinea pigs, bearded dragons, and pythons.

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)

HABRI - Human Animal Bond Research Institute

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is a non-profit research and education organization that is gathering, funding, and sharing scientific research to demonstrate the positive health impacts of companion animals. Their work provides valuable insights into how pets contribute to mental, physical, and social well-being. Educators can explore HABRI’s research to better understand the benefits of classroom pets and the role of animals in student development.

PETFINDER

www.petfinder.com was created with the goal of finding a home for all adoptable pets and this certainly includes small furry, feathered and scaly ones. Before you adopt, check out their site:www.petfinder.com/before-pet-adoption for information on what kind of pet, size, etc. that will be the right fit for you and your students.

DOGS AND CATS HEAR MUCH, MUCH MORE

Dogs and Cats Hear Much, Much More! by Janet Marlow, M.A. is a wonderful resource that will help your students understand how animals relate to the world through their acute sense of hearing. Hearing is an important sense that affects pet behavior. This informative book will help students learn how the science of sound affects their own environment, as well as their pet’s living space.  Better understanding of animals enhances empathy, responsibility and care for another being; therefore opening the hearts of children in the most natural way. Recommended for children ages 7-12.

THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM

Florida Aquarium The Florida Aquarium has created FIC-Complete-Curriculum developed for the Fish in the Classroom Outreach Program, based on Sunshine State Standards and the requirements of classroom aquarium care. Lesson topics include setting up an aquarium, water testing, fish observations, and experiments. The Fish in the Classroom lessons focus on: Increasing student knowledge of water chemistry, fish biology, and aquarium care; Preparing students to care for live animals in an aquarium; and skills such as reading, recording observations, graphing, building models, and critical thinking.

THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE

The American Federation of Aviculture, a nonprofit national organization that promotes the advancement of Aviculture through  educational programs, has implemented courses to train aviculturists called “Fundamentals of Aviculture”.   The introductory course provides information on anatomy and physiology, avian behavior, proper housing, preventing  illness of birds in our care, and much more. Development for the Intermediate Aviculture Course, Fundamentals of Aviculture Level II, was made possible by a grant from Pet Care Trust, the foundation that created Pets in the Classroom.

Just for fun